N. Idaho non-profit builds tiny homes for homeless

POST FALLS, Idaho -- A North Idaho man is using saws, hammers, and tiny homes to give convicts a fresh start.

Ken Gilbert created the non-profit called LightWorks. Their mission is to teach former offenders how to build as a way to get their lives back on track.

Adam Lyden is the foreman for Lightworks. After being convicted of a felony in Texas five years ago, it is a title he was not sure he would ever have.

"Trying to find a job with a felony is super tough,” he said.

Gilbert started LightWorks a year ago. His mission is to help people like Lyden who are in recovery or those coming out of probation or parole. Teaching former offenders construction skills in particular gives them a better shot at landing job.

Gilbert's hope is to partner with ministries and use the tiny houses they build to house the homeless. In fact, one of their tiny homes is set to be used by a homeless family in Coeur d'Alene. Gilbert said the demand for tiny homes is not as high as expected, so in the meantime he finds other contracting jobs for his crew. Still, since their founding in 2015, LightWorks has made five of the homes.

"I love it. They're like kids to us. And we treat them like we treated our kids," said Gilbert.

If you'd like to help out or donate, you can find LightWorks online or on their Facebook page.